Stretcher and guider



R. D. TACKABERRY STRETCHER AND GUIDER July 28, 1936.

Filed May 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l VLIZ-50121@ July 28, 1936 R. D. TACKABERRY 2,049,276

STRETCHER AND GUIDER Filed May 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 28, 1936 N imitan Sres aclam- Arsr orriciE f STRETCHER AND GUIDER Robert Daniel Tackaberry, Lewiston, Maine Application May 28, 1934, Serial No. 727,938

17 Claims.

. was secured by separating one pair of rolls, which left the tension of the other pair of rolls to check and correct the lateral movement. To accomplish this, electrical means were commonly used. With all these devices, there were weaknesses represented generally by expensive and compli- "f cated constructions, frequent breakdowns, especially at the hands of unskilled or careless labor, and inability to handle materials at relatively high speeds.

For that reason, my solution of the problem is largely one of simplification which provides at the same time a more sensitive yet more durable "device In accordance with my invention, I utilize the unbalanced forces resulting as the cloth develops undesired lateral movement to eiect equal, though opposite, pivoting movement of the marginal rolls simultaneously to cause the angles of the rolls to the cloth to Vbe varied so that the pull of the marginal rolls is varied to effect an increased pull onthe side from which the material is retreating immediately straightening the flow of the material.

.In the drawings I have illustrated and inthe specication described a practical embodiment of myv invention. Throughout the specification and drawings, like reference numerals are employed to indicate corresponding parts, and in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of my guider and stretcher;

Fig, 2 is an end elevation of the same.

Fig. 3 'is' a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows my device viewed along the lines 5 4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a'fragmentary view of the feeler arm.

VI provide a suitable frame consisting of xed uprightsF and vertically spaced cross members Flr-and F2. A pair of rotatable shafts I and 2 are jcurnaled in bearings I1 and 21 in the uprights F and are centrally mounted in a common bearing block 3.

Slidably mounted on the cross members F1 and F2 are guide supports 4 and 5, each of which is provided with an internally threaded bracket 6 which is movable on a feed screw 'I having reverse threads so that the supports 4 and 5 may be simultaneously adjusted for various widths of cloth by turning the hand wheel la.

The supports 4 and 5 carry xed yokes 8 and 9 which rare bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to their respective supports at 81 and 91. Within each of the yokes 8 and 9 are pivotally supported on the shafts I 6 and I6a opposed cradles I0 and II, in which cradles are mounted for free rotation the edge-gripping rolls I2 and I3 which grasp the edges of the material to be fed vertically therethrough, although, of course, my de; vice may be positioned to receive any iiow of ma-` terial.

The tension of the rolls I2 and I3 on the cloth may be varied by means of adjustment screws I4 which bear against springsV I5 supported by the shafts I6 on which the cradles I3 are pivoted. In order that the rolls may be disengaged to facilitate the feeding of the cloth.

therethrough, a manually operable control arm I'I fulcrumed as at I8 is pivoted to the shaft I5. Splined to the shafts I and 2 are members I9,

the position of which is controlled by a bridge 3 The rack 23 meshes with a gear 25 which,V

through the shaft 21, turns gears 28 and 2,9 in mesh with quadrants 3l] and 3| on the cradles I0 and II (see Fig. 3) so that rotation of the shafts I and 2 will result in a rotation of the cradles I0 and II effective to produce tugs in opposite directions on the margins of the material.

To detect lateral movement of the cloth, I provide a feeler arm or governor 32 which extends transversely of the flow of the cloth. This arm 32 is provided with rods 33a and 33b between which and a centre portion 33c the cloth or other material passes, as is shown in Fig. 4, The feeler arm shown, while representative of the principle of my invention, may obviously be variously formed as, for example, to impart to it desirable guiding qualities.

The feeler arm 32 is carried by a shaft 34 mounted in the centrally positioned upright `35 rigidly supported on the cross members F1 and F2, which has an overhang 351 between which and the upright 35 a balance 4I is carried on the shaft 34. By means of the arcuate aperture IIa in the'balance 4I with thestud 42 on the upright 35 the balance serves to limit the tilting movement of the arm 32 in eitherY direction.

A centrally pivoted lever or balance beam 36V is mounted on the shaft 34 from each end of Y which depends. atconnecting rod 39. The shafts I and 2 are provided with members 3ll which carry horizontal arms 38 pivotally connected at 4U to the connecting rods 39 onr the ends of the beam 36. (See Fig. 4.) t

I may provide a yconnection from the feed screw 'l or handwheel 'Ia to the main rollers (notshown) so that on adjustment of these main rollers for the proper width of cloth, the marginal guiding and stretching rolls will be properly positioned at the same time. I also contemplate the use, in some installations, of a'second similar device as that described to ensure Vsuiiicientpower to guide and stretch properly the heavier materials.

In the operation off my apparatus, therframes 4 and lwith'theV attached yokes 8 and 9, carrying the pivoted cradles I9 and I I, in which rotate the cloth edge gripping rolls I2 and I3, are adjusted through the Vfeed screw I for the width of cloth to be guided. The cloth is then run betweenthe rods 33a and 33b and over the memberr33of the feeler arm 32. The control-armY by the flow ofthe cloth will be evenly Vdistributed* over the feeler arm 32 which willcontinueto balance perfectly so long as the cloth is running perfectly straight. As the cloth runs through,

however, it will invariably tend to havean undesirable lateral movement. This movement will cause the sensitive feeler arm 32 to tilt since it will be thrown out of balance, and this will cause one connectingy rod 39 to be raised and the otherV to be lowered. YThrough the connections 3l and 38 the shafts I and 2 will be rotated. in oppo-site directions. This movement will cause the racks 23V to actuatethe gears 25 and "26, Whichinturn will actuate the gears 28 and 29 in mesh with the quadrants 30 and 3I,on.each cradle I 2 and my rolls exert ay slight pull on each margin ofV byLetters Patent is.:-

I3 and thereby turn Vthe same on .their pivots I Ii and I 6a. This Vmovement of the cradles results inthe simultaneous, equal but opposite, pivoting of each pair of rolls. I preferably have the cloth by positioning them at an angle of less than 90 to themargin of the cloth in straight flow."v The pull on `either margin will obviously be increased by makingthe angle ofthe roll to Athe margin more acute. Inaccordance with my Ainvention if. within the limits of the appended claims. l. Y Y

What I therefore claim and desire to secure 1. In a device vofy theclassv described, a frame 2. In a device of the class described, a frame `including a crossv member, a pair of cradlesgpiv` including a cross member, a cradle pivotally and slidably connected with each end of saidl cross member,a pair of` contacting rolls mounted for free rotation in .each Yof said cradlesV and being e so positioned as to constitute each pair of rolls 5 a grip for a margin of the material, a feeler arm pivotally connected with saidcross member between said pair of rolls and adapted to receive v the cloth in desired iiow as arbalan'cedload and to be tilted by theforces exertedY by 'unbalanced loads, and means operatively connected with said armV to produce simultaneous equarmovements of said cradles whereby undesired lateral Vmovement of the material is immediately corrected.

including a cross member, a cradle pivotally and sldably connected with each end of said cross member, means for synchronously adjusting the lateral position of each cradle to receive materials vof different widths, a pair of rolls mounted for free. rotation in each ofY said cradles-.and being positioned to Yconstitute each pair of rolls.

Va grip for a margin ofthe material,V a feeler said arm to produce simultaneous opposite equal,V l

movements of said cradles wherebylundesired lateral movement of the material is irrimediately` corrected. Y Z. -j

3. Ina device of the class described,.a frame inf clucling a cross member, a pair of vcradles pivotally and slidably connecte-d with each end of said cross member, means for synchronously adjusting the, lateral position of each pair of cradlesto receive materials of different widths, a :pair of rolls mounted for free rotation in each'of said cradlesV and being so positioned as tojconstitute each pair ofrolls a grip for a margin of the material, means to separate Vsaid rolls toV admit the material, Ya; feeler f arm pivotally connected with said t cross r member between said pair offrolls and adapted to be tilted'by the forces exerted by uneven flow Vof` the cloth, and meansv operatively connected with said arm' to yproduce simultaneous opposite equalmovements of said cradles whereby undesired lateralv movementof the material is immediatelyQV corrected. f

4.111. a device of the class described, a frameY including a cross member, a pair of cradles plv?l otally and slidably mounted on each endofsaid cross member, means for synchronously adjusting the vlateral position of each'pair of cradles to-x receive materialsof different widths, aepair of 'Y rolls mounted for free rotation in eachfof said cradlesand being so positioned as to constitute v each pair of rrolls a grip for theY margin of the;v

.materiaL a centrally pivoted feeler arm'adapted to balance during desired liiow ofthe cloth, and means connected withsaid arm to producefsinflulV taneous oppositeequal movements Aof said cradles j whereby undesired lateral movement of 'the' ma-f terial is immediately corrected. Q 5. InV a device of the class described, a frame otally and slidablymounted on each end of said cross member, a pair of rolls mountedior free rotation in eachA of said cradles and being so positioned to constitute each Vpairroi rolls a gripV for the margin of the material, a centrallypivoted Y to produceY simultaneous opposite-equal pivotal 275i movements of said cradleswhereby undesired lateralmovement of the material is immediately corrected.

A. guiding and straightening mechanism Vfor materials of the class described, comprising a `of saidyokes, a. pair of materialedge gripping rolls adjusting said supports tov 'different widths of material including a reversely threaded screw, a bracket carried by said supports and movable with said screw and means for turning said screw.

Y I7. A guiding and straightening mechanism for Zlfmaterials of the class described, comprising a frame, *uprightsV and cross members, a pair of rol tatable shaftsV supported on' said'uprights, spaced material guide supports on said cross members, a yoke carried by each of said supports, a pair of cradles pivoted in each of said yokes, a pair of material edge-gripping rolls rotatably mounted in each cradle and movable therewith, means for effecting the even passage of said material through said rolls, said means comprising a balanced feeler arm connected with said frame and fulcrurned midway of said rolls and through which said material is to pass, said feeler arm being adapted to be tilted by unbalanced forces exerted by the flow of the material as the material develops lateral movement, means operatively connecting said feeler arm and said shafts, and means transmitting motion from said rotating shaft to pivot simultaneously said cradles to alternately draw said material to right or left to straighten its ow through said rolls.

8. A guiding and straightening mechanism for materials of the class described, comprising a frame, uprights and cross members, a pair of rotatable shafts supported on said uprights, spaced material guide supports on said cross members, a

yoke rigidly carried by each of said supports, a pair of cradles pivoted in each of said yokes, material edge-gripping rolls rotatably mounted in each cradle and movable therewith, means for eecting the even passage of said material through said rolls, said means comprising a balanced feeler arm connected with said frame and fulcrumed midway of said rolls over which said material is to pass and adapted to be tilted by unbalanced forces exerted by the flow of the material, a beam adapted to oscillate with said feeler arm and having connecting rods operatively connected to each of said rotatable shafts to rotate the same, and means transmitting motion from Go said rotating shaft to pivot simultaneously said cradles to straighten its flow through said rolls.

9. A guiding and straightening mechanism for materials of the class described, comprising a frame including uprights and cross members, a

pair of rotatable shafts supported on said uprights, spaced material guide supports on said cross members, a yoke rigidly carried by each of said supports, a pair of cradles pivoted in each of said yokes, material edge-gripping rolls rotatably mounted in each cradle and movable therewith,

means for electing the even passage of said material through said rolls, said means comprising a balanced feeler arm connected with said frame and fulcrumed midway of said rolls over which said material is to pass and adapted to be tilted by the unbalanced forces resulting from the flow ofV material as it develops lateral movement,

means limiting the tilting of said feeler arm in either direction, said means including a balance, a l beam adapted to oscillate with said feeler'arm and having connecting rods operatively connected to each of said rotatable shafts to rotate the same, and means transmitting motion from said rotat-v ing shafts to pivot simultaneously said cradles to straighten the material.`

10. In a device of the class described, a frame including cross members, a pair of rolls to grip each margin of the material to be guided pivotallyv and slidably connected with said cross members, a feeler arm adapted to be balanced by straight flow ofthe material and unbalanced by l lateral deviation thereof, and means actuated by said feeler arm including members adapted to produce simultaneous equal pivoting of each pair of said rolls whereby opposite force is exerted on each margin of the material.

11. A guiding and stretching mechanism of the class described comprising a frame including uprights and cross members, spaced material guide supports mounted on said cross members for lateral adjustment, a pair of rolls pivotally mounted in said supports for free rotation and disposed to exert equal pulls on each margin of the cloth, means disposed in the center of the path of the ilow of the material adapted to be pivoted by the forces exerted by lateral deviation of the material, and a connection from said means to pivot said rolls oppositely but equally to increase the pull of the rolls on the side from which the material has retreated and to decrease the pull of the other pair of rolls whereby the proper flow of material is immediately restored.

l2. In a device of the class described, a frame, a pair of material guides pivotally mounted on said frame, separate means for pivoting each of said guides, a balanced arm adapted to be tilted by lateral deviations of the material, and members connecting each of said guide pivoting means with said arm to actuate each of said guide pivoting means equally but oppositely.

13. In a device of the class described, a frame, a pair of material guides pivotally mounted on said frame, separate means for pivoting each of said guides, a balanced arm adapted to be tilted by lateral deviations of the material, said arm including a plurality of cross members to receive the material, and members connecting each of said means with said arm to actuate each of said means equally but oppositely.

14. In a device of the class described, a frame, a pair of cradles mounted on said frame adjacent the margins of the material, a pair of freely rotatable rolls mounted in each of said cradles to grip the margins of the material and disposed at an equal acute angle against the flow of the material to create an equal pull on each margin, a centrally pivoted feeler arm adapted to receive the correct flow of the material as a balanced load and to be tilted by lateral Ydeviation thereof, and means operated by said arm as it tilts and adapted to pivot each of said cradles equally in opposite directions, whereby the angle of the rolls to the cloth becomes more acute on the side from which the material is retreating and the angle of the rollers on the other margin becomes less acute producing pulls of unequal force on the margins of the material to restore desired ow thereof.

15. In a device of the class described, a frame, a pair of guides pivotally mounted on said frame to pivot said guides equally Lbut, oppositely.

andhspacedto grip each margin ofthe material,

aentlally, p ivoted arm adapted to receive the.V

material in correct iiow as a balanced load and t0 be-;ti1ted by lateral deviations thereof, aibeam 1, movable with said arm, separate meansforr pivoting'each of said ,-guides,a p-air of shafts, a rod .from each end of saidbeam to'one of said shafts andconnected therewith to rotate said shaft in Y eitherfdirection Aand' a connection between said shaft and said guides adapted as said arm tilts 1.6. In a device of; the 'class described, a frame, a-,pairof guides pivotally mounted onsaid frame and spaced to grip each margin of the material, a

centrally pivoted arm adapted to receive the material in correct lowvas a balanced load and to be tilted by lateral deviations thereof, a beam movablewith said arm, a toothed member With each guide, separate means for pivoting each of said guides, each of said means including a shaft, a gear on said shaft in mesh with said member, a second gear on said shaft,v a rack in mesh with i' said; second named gear, a pair of shafts, a rod from each end of said beam to one of said shafts aofiaamf and connected therewith tf1-rotate said shafilineitherV direction f and` connections ,between saidj shaft and said rack to raise orlower saidraclras Y said arm tilts A,whereby said guides alrpivoted equally butV oppositely. y y Y A 17. In a device ofthe class described,a frame,

a pair'of members slidablyV carried by said frame r each of said members, a roll mountedfor'free of ther material, and means vfor pivotingeachpair-r of said rolls, said means `including a toothed member With-each support, a shaft,V gearsV on said shaft in mesh with saidgtoothed members, a cen- Y trally pivoted feeler arm on said framev responsiveV to the forces `exerted by the iiow vof the cloth, means connected with said 4feeler arm to produce simultaneous equal rotation of'said shafts whereby said pairs of rolls are'pivoted equally, but op,-v

positely,to correct undesired lateralmovementf of the material.V x Y ROBERT D NIEL 'IAQKABERRYLL 

